Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014 - 12

Smallmouth Bass Fishing
on the

Delaware River
by Darl Black

RI

V

ER

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2014

AWA

12

Over the next several years while
working in lower Bucks County, I drove
north almost every weekend between June
and October to fish Smallmouth Bass
WAYNE
on the Delaware River with new friends.
RE
I explored many stretches of the river
between Milford and New Hope either
PIKE
by wading or by canoe, catching bass
everywhere. At that time, my favorite area
MONROE
was from Dingmans Ferry to Bushkill.
After being absent from the Delaware
River for many years, I was anxious
to know Mengel's assessment of
NORTHAMPTON
Delaware River Smallmouth Bass, so
BUCKS
I was bombarding him with questions
MONTGOMERY
throughout our time on the river.
"Smallmouth Bass are pursued
CHESTER PHILADELPHIA
the entire length of the river from
DELAWARE
Hancock, New York, all the way
south to Trenton, New Jersey. At the
present time, I would say the best section for Smallmouth
Bass runs from Milford down through the Water Gap to
about Portland," said Mengel.
According to Mengel, a 23-year veteran of chasing
Delaware River bronzebacks, location of Smallmouth Bass
within the river is based on water level changes. In the early
fall, river bass are primarily feeding on migrating pods of
American Shad young and river herring young as they head
downstream to the ocean. The better fishing opportunities
occur during higher flows, because the preyfish are
L
DE

One October morning, Dave Lehman and I were standing on
the ramp at Sandts Eddy, just north of Easton surveying the
Delaware River. We had driven from western Pennsylvania
to fish for Smallmouth Bass on the Delaware River with river
expert Blaine Mengel.
Within minutes of our arrival, Mengel pulled into the
nearly empty parking lot with a jet boat in tow. After
introductions, I commented on the flow. "I realize it's been a
number of years since I've fished here, but the river looks a
lot lower than I remember."
"Well, we are in drought conditions here, and this is
as low as I've ever seen the river," said Mengel. "It's really
too low to safely run a jet boat from this access to where I
want to fish. Our best chance at bass will be a deeper water
section, so we'll drive a little further north to launch in the
Belvidere pool."
When he mentioned going further north on the Delaware
River, I had a flashback to the very first time I laid eyes on the
Delaware River some 40 years ago.
Fresh out of college, I had accepted a job in Cornwells
Heights, just north of Philadelphia. Arriving several days
early, I was exploring places to fish including Neshaminy
State Marina. Sitting in my Dodge Dart with a canoe
strapped on top, I watched the swirling debris-laden tide
water rise on the river and realized the lower Delaware River
was no place for Smallmouth Bass.
Fortunately, the next day at work, I made the acquaintance
of Charles Lindenlaub, an enthusiastic angler and canoeist
who immediately turned me in the right direction. "Go
north, young man, go north," said Lindenlaub.

photos by the author

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014

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